U.S. CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF BNP PARIBAS, FOR VIOLATING U.S. SANCTIONS IN SUDAN, CUBA, AND IRAN

In 2015, as part of a U.S. criminal prosecution, PEJ collected 1010 witness accounts and submitted a legal brief to the Department of Justice (DOJ) detailing BNP's alleged role in the Sudanese conflict and the harm it caused to victims. The French Bank ultimately pled guilty to violating the sanctions, and the DOJ required it to forfeit almost 9 billion USD. PEJ supported the DOJ in its attempt to use some of these funds as reparations for the victims. However, the U.S. Congress redirected the funds to American terrorist victims before any reparations could be paid.

TRAINING HUMAN RIGHTS MONITORS IN SOUTH SUDAN

Since 2017, PEJ has provided in-person training and continuous action-learning through remote mentoring to our South Sudanese local partner. With an emphasis on sexual and gender-based violence investigations. PEJ works alongside the local monitors to document the ongoing serious human rights violations across the country. The local monitors interview witnesses and survivors and draft investigative reports. PEJ reviews these reports and sends back feedback to the monitors. We then publish anonymous advocacy reports with recommendations and legal analysis.

REPARATIONS FOR INDIGENOUS CHILDREN IN SOUTH KORDOFAN & BLUE NILE, SUDAN (TWO AREAS)

In August 2018, PEJ and its partners submitted a Communication before the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child. The regional mechanism that assesses human rights violations committed by States against children. Our

Communication detailed the bombing campaign and attacks by the Sudanese government against the people of the Two Areas and the resulting harm to the children. Between September and December 2020. under the auspices of the Committee. PEJ and the Sudanese government negotiated an amicable settlement in the case. This agreement is one of only 11 settlements reached before the Committee in decades.

In recognition of the human rights violations in the Two Areas, the transitional Sudanese government will acknowledge its responsibility and offer condolences to the victims. The Sudanese government has also committed to reconstructing schools and hospitals that were destroyed and allowing unfettered humanitarian access into the Two Areas, as well as to engage in legal reforms.

TARGETED SANCTIONS UNDER THE U.S. GLOBAL MAGNITSKY ACT

In 2019, PEJ and a partner drafted and submitted an application for sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Act against an armed militia group responsible for serious human rights violations. PEJ submitted the application to the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) and presented its case in Washington D.C. Following the presentation to OFAC. PEJ drafted and submitted a supplemental brief focusing on this group's connections to other terrorist groups. The U.S. imposed sanctions against the group and its leaders at the end of 2019, and additional countries did the same in 2020. This turnaround, from application to sanctions, was one of the shortest ever.

Litigation Practice Group

Justice Incubator

PEJ’s Justice Incubator aims to engage youth lawyers and build the next generation of diverse leaders who will expedite justice for marginalized and vulnerable groups not adequately protected under the law. We amplify the voices of youth, enabling an environment in which they can contribute to and create forward-leaning solutions for increasing access to justice for all.

During this one-year incubator, these young lawyers will receive practical training and guidance from national, regional, and international experts working on cross-border legal matters. Furthermore, they will develop a standalone human rights project that realizes their goal of one day leading their own NGO, social enterprise, or other entity. These lawyers will obtain the skills necessary to stand up against human rights abuses and mass atrocities around the world.

Justice Incubator